Israeli police have raided locations in the northern city of Haifa where foreign television crews, including those from TRT Arabi and Al-Ghad TV, were operating, confiscating their broadcast equipment in the process.
The raids were conducted under orders from Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had directed law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent foreign media outlets from broadcasting what he described as content that “endangers state security.”
According to a police statement, the operation was prompted by a tip-off and carried out in line with Ben-Gvir’s “zero tolerance” policy. Officers reportedly entered a hotel room in Haifa, where individuals were seen filming toward the city’s port area. TRT.com reported this development today.
The journalists involved have been summoned for questioning, police confirmed.
TRT Arabi, a Turkish broadcaster, and Cairo-based Al-Ghad TV both confirmed that their crews were searched and equipment confiscated.
Earlier in the day, Ben-Gvir publicly called on Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, to take action against foreign media, claiming they were broadcasting live footage of ongoing missile strikes, which he labeled a “crime.” He also noted that censorship directives had already been issued by the Israeli military.
The crackdown follows a missile strike on an oil refinery in Haifa during an Iranian attack in the early hours of June 15. The strike, which killed three people, was captured live on air by Qatar-based Al Jazeera, sparking backlash from some Israeli commentators and political figures. As a result of the damage, the refinery has suspended its operations.
Ben-Gvir defended the raids, claiming such broadcasts compromise national security and aid enemy states. The move has raised concerns over press freedom and the targeting of foreign media in conflict zones.
